Saiyan Primal Ascension

The walk back to the facility was quieter than I'd expected. Hanasia, knocked out and draped over Tato's shoulder, snored softly, each exhale a little too loud for someone her size. I glanced over and shook my head, fighting the smirk threatening to break through. Of all things, she snores like a damn kitten.

Nappa trudged beside Tato, his arms crossed and his usual stoic expression slightly cracked by what I could only describe as grudging respect. Turles, on the other hand, lingered at the back.

We reached the facility, and Mansam led the way. Toriko and his group peeled off to give us space, though Zebra threw me a glance and muttered something about Saiyans being "damn entertaining."

Inside, Fasha had already set up a makeshift seating area, perched comfortably on one of the couches. "So, who's explaining what just happened?"

I dropped into a chair, stretching my legs out and cracking my neck. "What part? The fight or the fact that Hanasia snores?"

Tato chuckled, adjusting Hanasia's weight on his shoulder. "Both, probably."

Fasha shot me a look, one of those "don't get cute" glares she'd perfected over the years. "The form," she clarified. "What was that?"

"Hell if I know," I admitted, leaning back and folding my arms behind my head. "It's not something I've seen before, not even in Saiyan legends. Whatever it was, though, it was close, damn close, to a Super Saiyan."

Nappa leaned against the wall, his massive frame casting a shadow across half the room. "Close? You're telling me you weren't going easy on her?"

"Nope," I said simply. "If Super Saiyan's a 50x multiplier, that form she used was probably a 46x, maybe a touch less."

Fasha's eyes narrowed, curiosity gleaming behind them. "And you're sure about that?"

I shrugged. "Close enough that I had to go all out to beat her. She wasn't far off."

Tato nodded, finally easing Hanasia onto the couch beside Fasha. "Makes sense. She was pushing herself harder. Guess it paid off."

Hanasia, oblivious to the entire conversation, shifted slightly in her sleep, her head lolling onto Fasha's lap as she let out another ridiculous snore. Fasha couldn't help but chuckle, brushing a stray strand of hair from Hanasia's face. "Cute, isn't she?"

Nappa snorted. "For someone who just got her ass handed to her? Yeah, sure."

Turles finally spoke up, his voice tight. "You're all acting like this is normal. That… whatever the hell that was, it wasn't normal. How are none of you worried?"

"Worried?" I repeated, shooting him a sharp look. "Turles, you're starting to sound not like a Saiyan. What's there to worry about?"

He opened his mouth, probably to say something snarky, but Mansam cut him off. "Turles, quit whining. If you'd actually train you might stand a chance one day." That shut him up, though the scowl on his face deepened. 

Mansam continued "So, let me get this straight. You're telling me this 'Super Saiyan' thing is some kind of legend, and now you're just… pulling these forms out of your asses?"

I nodded. "More or less. Super Saiyan's something we've heard about in stories."

"And now Hanasia's got her own version of it?" Mansam asked, his tone skeptical but intrigued.

"Seems like it," Tato said. "Though hers is… different, it's not a super saiyan, it's different."

"It's not the same," I added in agreement with him. "It's raw, primal in a way. If she can figure out how to control it, though? She'll be a monster. Kinda makes me want to try my hand at learning it."

Nappa grinned, his sharp teeth glinting under the fluorescent lights. "Can't wait to see that. But until then, guess we've got time to catch up." his eyes turned to Tato.

The conversation shifted after that, the group settling into a more relaxed atmosphere. Nappa and Mansam ended up in a heated debate, with Tato occasionally chiming in to back up Mansam's points. Turles sulked in the corner, clearly still fuming about the growing gap between himself and the rest of us. 

Through it all, Hanasia kept snoring, her head still resting in Fasha's lap. The occasional snort or mumble drew a few chuckles, but for the most part, we let her sleep.

A few days later.

The air was thick with the savory scent of roasting steaks, the rich, mouth-watering aroma drifting from Granny Setsuno's open-air kitchen atop her massive floating jellyfish house. The gentle sway of the island-sized jellyfish created a soothing rhythm, blending with the sound of sizzling meat on the grill.

Gine stood at the large stone-hewn cooking station, her hands moving with practiced precision as she seasoned and seared thick, marbled cuts of Ashurasaurus steak. 

Komatsu worked beside her with a reverence bordering on awe. His hands flew across the prep station, dicing exotic vegetables and herbs that Granny Setsuno herself had selected. Every now and then, he'd glance at Gine, taking mental notes.

"You're really something, ma'am," Komatsu said, voice filled with genuine admiration. "I-I can't believe I get to learn from you again! Those lessons you gave me a while back... I still use what you taught me every day."

Gine smiled warmly, her gentle nature shining through. "It's nice to see you again, Komatsu. You've improved a lot, your knife work is even sharper now."

Komatsu nearly turned beet-red but kept his focus on the task at hand. He wouldn't let himself mess up in front of someone like Gine or Granny Setsuno, who loomed nearby with a calm but sharp-eyed watchfulness. 

Granny Setsuno stood with her arms crossed, her piercing gaze assessing every movement like a hawk. She gave a slight nod of approval when Gine expertly flipped one of the massive steaks, searing the other side to perfection.

"Hmph. Not bad," Granny remarked, her voice rough but approving. "Still sharp after all these years, Gine."

"Thanks, Granny." Gine's expression softened, but there was a flicker of pride in her eyes. "I learned from the best."

I leaned against the railing, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement. Nappa stood at my side, his arms crossed as he watched Gine work with a mixture of curiosity and mild confusion.

"She's... Kakarot's mom?" he asked slowly like he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. "She's so... gentle."

I snorted. "Yeah, she's not much of a fighter, but don't underestimate her."

He grunted but didn't argue. I could tell he was still wrapping his head around the idea. For a Saiyan like Nappa, strength was everything.

From across the spacious deck, Hanasia stretched, Her tail flicked lazily behind her, and she let out a satisfied yawn as she strolled over, drawn by the mouth-watering scent.

She gave me a teasing smirk. "So, when do we eat?"

"When Gine says it's ready," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Trust me, you don't rush a meal like this."

Toriko and his friends gathered near the edge of the deck, and exchanged eager glances. Toriko's stomach growled loudly, earning a hearty laugh from Zebra, who leaned back with a toothy grin. 

"Hope you're ready," Toriko said, practically vibrating with excitement. "I've never had Ashurasaurus before… this is gonna be legendary!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Good luck keeping up Nappa. These guys' appetites don't play around."

Nappa let out a low laugh, clearly up for the challenge. "Bring it on."

Granny Setsuno gave an approving nod. "Good. You'll need strong appetites for what's coming. The Ashurasaurus wasn't easy to bring down."

Everyone quieted for a moment. Only someone like Granny could take down a beast with a capture level of 4,990.

"Alright, it's done," Gine announced, her voice cutting through the air like the dinner bell from heaven. She expertly plated the thick, perfectly-seared steaks, garnishing them with glistening roasted vegetables and fresh herbs.

We moved as one, drawn in like moths to a flame.

Komatsu handed out plates with almost religious reverence, his eyes shining with pride and excitement. I took mine and inhaled the intoxicating aroma. The meat was perfectly seared on the outside, tender and juicy within, practically glowing with power.

Without a word, I took a bite.

The flavor exploded across my tongue, rich and smoky with a bold, savory depth I'd never tasted before. The intense energy surged through my body, invigorating every cell. It was as if the Ashurasaurus's raw power had been tamed and refined into the perfect dish.

"By the gods…" I muttered, barely able to form words as my body was glowing.

Nappa's eyes widened as he chewed slowly, savoring every bite. "This... this is incredible."

Hanasia let out a satisfied growl, already halfway through her first plate. "I'm gonna need seconds."

Toriko's jaw practically hit the floor. "THIS IS INSANE!" he bellowed, eyes sparkling with joy.

Even Zebra, notorious for his tough exterior, nodded approvingly. "Good stuff."

Granny Setsuno finally took a seat, fixing me with a knowing smirk. "Told you she was good."

Gine smiled warmly but humbly, waving off the praise. "I'm just glad you're all enjoying it."

The meal ended in a satisfying haze of warmth and fullness. Laughter and conversation lingered in the air, the tension from the past few days forgotten, if only for a while. As plates were cleared and Komatsu eagerly pestered Gine about more recipes, I felt a light touch on my arm.

Gine stood there, her soft, knowing smile tempered with something deeper. "Celera... can we talk? Just for a minute?"

I nodded, following her to the edge of the massive jellyfish platform. The breeze was cool, carrying the faint, salty tang of the distant ocean below. We leaned against the rail in companionable silence, watching the waves shimmer far beneath us.

"How are they?" Gine asked quietly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "My boys… Kakarot and Raditz."

I met her eyes, seeing the gentle worry she tried so hard to hide. "They're... doing fine," I answered honestly. "Kakarot beat Frieza. It was close, but he pulled through like he always does."

Relief softened her features, though her brow furrowed slightly. "And Raditz?"

I smirked faintly. "With Lunch. Same as always. They're happy. She's probably dragging him on some crazy heist as we speak."

Gine let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I never imagined Raditz settling down… but I'm glad he's found someone." Her voice dipped, filled with longing. "I'm proud of both of them."

I stayed quiet, letting her process the news. There wasn't much else to say. 

After a moment, she drew a steadying breath and met my gaze again. "What about... the other thing? You told me before... about Bardock."

Her voice caught slightly on his name. It was something we'd spoken about before, a promise I'd made but hadn't acted on yet. 

I nodded slowly. "I haven't forgotten. I was going to head out soon… just need one more day to rest and plan. Then I'll start looking."

Her shoulders relaxed just a fraction, though I could still see the weight she carried. "Thank you," she whispered. "I... don't expect miracles. I know the odds... but if there's even a chance—"

"There is," I cut in firmly. "I'll find him, Gine. Trust me."

She smiled again, softer this time, but filled with quiet strength. "I believe you."